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Outdoors Dan: Get set for squirrels, and beginners’ bows

Dan Young, Special to the Register
Published 2:16 p.m. CT Aug. 26, 2017

I heard you talk about squirrel recipes. I am taking my daughter this year with my 20-gauge. When does season start, and where do we set up in the woods?

Squirrel season starts Sept. 2 in Iowa. It’s a great way to take kids out and teach them woodsmanship.

My favorite way to hunt them is in the early morning around hickory or oak trees. If you sit or lean against a tree and listen, you should hear them cutting nuts up in the trees. Just slowly approach, and wait for a clear shot.

There are several good recipes for squirrel, including battered fried quarters, squirrel and dumplings or squirrel and noodles. All are delicious and great table fare. Squirrel season runs until Jan. 31, 2018. The daily bag limit is six (fox and gray squirrels combined), and the possession limit is 12.

I need some advice for a beginner. Do you recommend getting a top-of-the-line or a beginner-model bow?

I would indeed recommend a beginner or mid-range bow for a beginner until you know you will stay with it. There are several great bow lines out there, such as Elite, that offer different price options.

The most important thing is to get your draw length measured and find out which eye is your dominant one. Plus, get one with the poundage you can draw with ease. A properly fitted bow will help you become more accurate as you practice with it.

Welcome to the bowhunting family. It’s a passion!

If you could hunt any animal, with price not being an option, what would you go after?

If I could go on my dream hunt, it would be an archery moose or caribou hunt in Alaska. I have always wanted to get one, and maybe I will before my trails end.